Combination bottle and rack therefor



May 8, 1962 H. G. COLE 3,033.375

COMBINATION BOTTLE AND RACK THEREFOR FIG?.

l. INVENTOR.

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l #rin May 8, 1962 H. G. COLE 3,033,375

COMBINATION BOTTLE AND RACK THEREFOR Original Filed Jan. 2e, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Hilf/W 6. 60M

ATTORNEY arent 3,033,375 Patented May 8, 1962 tice 3,033,375 COMBINATION BOTTLE AND RACK TI-IEREFOR Harry G. Cole, 11408 Wheaton Hill, Wheaton, Md. Continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 333,806, Jan. 28, 1953. This application Nov. 13, 1959, Ser. No.

1 Claim. (Cl. 211-75) This invention is a combined bottle and rack for supporting the same.

In establishments, laboratories or shops where liquid or fluid commodities have customarily been contined in bottles, cans or similar vessels, the shapes and sizes of the bottles and the arrangement of shelves or racks for the support thereof have been such as to limit the space for the accommodation of such containers, as well as to maintain the containers in such manner as frequently to cause loss or damage by the falling of the containers from their supporting racks or shelves. Moreover, in establishments such as drug or apothecary stores, dispensaries and others where abnormal quantities of bottles of various sizes and shapes are maintained, enormous shelf areas are required in order to accommodate such containers. In those establishments where it is necessary to be continually withdrawing and then replacing the bottles, as for instance in drug or apothecary shops `or dispensaries, breakage and result in losses and damages have been sustained by inadvertently knocking bottles over or from their supporting shelves. Moreover, the.bottles heretofore used in such establishments, being of more or less irregular shapes and sizes, diilieulty has been experienced in applying labels to the bottles to denote their contents in such way as to be at once or immediately perceptible to those having -to use the bottles.

The primary object of the present invention is to so construct bottles and the supporting shelves therefor that a great economy may be gained in the space required for the bottles; the bottles may be maintained upon their supporting shelves or racks in such Way as to minimize the opportunity for the bottles to fall from the supporting shelves or racks; the bottles may be more compactly stored or housed than has heretofore been possible, and the bottles are so shaped and disposed within their racks or shelves as to display the labels so as to be immediately perceptible at all times.

A further and particular object of the invention is to provide a bottle of novel shape and construction as well. as a rack or shelf of novel arrangement which when used in conjunction with one another accomplishes a secure support for the bottle, notwithstanding that the shelves may assume inclinations which would result in toppling of bottles of the construction heretofore known with consequent loss and damage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination bottle and rack which is of such character as to obtain great economy in space, in that many more containers may be stored in a given space than has heretofore been possible with bottles or containers heretofore employed in such establishments as apothecary shops, chemical laboratories or dispensarios.

This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 333,806, tiled January 28, 1953, now abandoned.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing, and particularly pointed out in the claim. Y

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a bottle rack with bottles supported thereby constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the line 2 2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a detail fragmentary side elevation of one of the bottles and a portion of its supporting shelf and illustrating a slight modification of the invention, and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. Zand illustrating more particularly the cantilever support of the shelves for supporting the various containers.

In carrying out the invention I have developed a bottle or container of glass, metal or other material which is of substantially rectangular cross section, providing a bottom 5, front and rear walls 6 and 7 respectively, a major top portion or face 8 and a minor top portion or face 9. The sides of the bottles 10 are flat so as to engage and lie snugly against one another when placed side to side. The side, front and rear walls are all disposed at substantially right angles to the bottom 5 as will be understood. The major top portion or face S is ilat and of rectangular form, and this face is disposed at an angle at variance with the bottom 5 of the bottle. Similarly, the minor face 9 is flat throughout its length and breadth, is also disposed at an angle at variance with the bottom 5 and also at variance with the major top face 8. The major and minor top faces 8 9 meet at an apex indicated at 10. The minor face is provided with a lling and pouring neck 11 which may be closed by a cap or stopper of any suitable construction indicated at 12. The major top face 8 will be provided with a label 13 indicative of the contents of the bottle, or the title of the bottle or its contents may be applied directly to the surface in any approved manner. Similarly, `the front face 6 of the bottle may be provided with a label 14 for purposes to be hereafter stated.

The rack or shelving for the accommodation of bottles of this construction will be supported by an upright wall or stanchion 15, which usually is vertical or substantially so. The bottle supporting shelves will be formed preferably of thin elongated sheets or strips of metal indicated at 16, and these shelves will be secured to the supporting wall or stanchion 15 at such angle that when one of the bottles is placed thereon with its front face 6 resting thereon, the major top surface 8 of the bottle will be disposed substantially parallel with the supporting wall or stanchion 15. The shelves 16 will be spaced apart vertically a distance somewhat greater than the breadth of the bottle to enable the latter to be readily applied to or removed from the supporting shelves. As stated, these shelves are preferably formed of light metal, and in order to strengthen the same the shelves may be provided with spaced depressed portions 17 extending from the front to the rear there-of. The shelves are secured by a foot at their rear portions by screws or other securing elements 18 to the shelf suspension sheets 19 also formed of thin metal and disposed at substantially right angles to the shelves 16. These shelf suspensions each carry one of the plates or shelves 16, and these elements may be welded or in any other preferred manner secured to one another. It will be observed, particularly with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawing, that the shelf suspensions 19 are all disposed in spaced parallelism and when assembled in the manner shown will maintain their shelves 16 in spaced parallel relationship. It is preferred that the outer or front ends of the shelves 16 terminate inwardly from the top portions iof their bottles in order to facilitate the removal of the bottles from their respective shelves as well as their insertion therein. The topmost shelf may be covered by the plate 29 disposed parallel to the shelves and terminating at its forward end in substantial alignment with the corresponding ends of the shelves, whereupon it extends rearwardly at substantially right angles to 4the wall 15, as at 21, being attached by the foot 22 to the said wall. Similarly, the lowermost of the shelves 16 has its forward end deflected downwardly as at 23 to be secured at its free end 24 to a suitable support 25.

With the shelves constructed and mounted in the manner set forth, it is apparent that upon the application thereto of bottles constructed in the manner described, the said bottles will readily slide upon the downwardly inclined supporting shelves until they come to rest by engagement of the bottoms thereof with the shelf suspensions 19 of the rack. The specific gravity of the bottles and the contents thereof will normally tend to maintain the bottles securely upon their respective shelves and in resting engagement with their respective bottom suspension walls. The inclination of the supporting shelves 16 is such that the bottles will be retained thereon notwithstanding that the angularity of the supporting wall 15 may change within limits. This arrangement is particularly advantageous where bottles are maintained aboard ship or in mobile carriers where a roll or swaying occurs. The forward or top portions of the bottles project far enough beyond the ends of the supporting shelves 16 as shown to permit of the bottles being readily withdrawn when required and with equal facility replaced. By reason of the peculiar angularity of the major top surface 8, the labels or titles applied thereto may be readily observed at all times and with shelving and storage carried out in this manner there can be no opportunity for one or more bottles obscuring the labels of companion or other bottles. The labels 14 applied to the front face 6 of the bottles enable them to be readily identified in instances where the bottles may be removed from their supporting racks and rest upon counters or shelves upon their bottoms S. Similarly, when bottles of this character are stored or shipped in tight engagement with one another in cartons, crates or other enclosures, at which time they rest upon their bottoms 5, the bottle titles upon the major top surfaces S may be readily observed.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have developed a bottle and a rack therefor of such construction as to greatly economize bottle space in those establishments where considerable numbers of bottles must be maintained for constant use, and wherein bottles are compactly arranged in such manner as to contribute to their mutual support laterally and are maintained securely upon their supporting shelves against accidental dislodgement. The particular angularity of the supporting shelves is not stated, but it will be understood that the angle may be varied according to requirements. The particular angularity of the major and minor top faces of the bottle may also be varied within limits, but it is important that the major face 8 be at such angle as to display the title or label thereon in such way as to be readily visible.

It may be found desirable to provide means for further maintaining the bottles more rmly within their supporting racks, in which event the supporting shelves 16 may be provided with rubber strips or coating 26. The suspension 19 may similarly have rubber strips 27 applied thereto to act as a cushion for the bottle bottom when it is inserted in the rack. Similarly, the underface of the upper shelf 16 may be coated with rubber 28 to offer resistance to outward movement of the bottle should the angularity of the supporting wall change due to swaying or rolling of a mobile carrier.

A further modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, wherein the supporting shelf 16 is extended beyond the supporting wall 15 such distance as to project at its end beyond the outer end of the bottle. In this instance, the outer extremity of the shelf will be rolled, curled or exended upwardly to provide a stop 30 to engage behind the outer end of the bottle and thus hold the latter against casual outward movement. In such case, the rubber friction elements, heretofore described, may or may not be used to offer resistance to accidental outward sliding movement of the bottles.

In those instances where the shelves are formed of thin metal, the outer extremities will be rolled or curled to provide longitudinal channels or openings for the accommodation of rods indicated at 31. ln instances where these shelves are made in sections, these rods will be extended through the curled or rolled portions to align the shelf edges and hold them in rm assembled relationship. This arrangement is indicated by dotted line in FIG. l of the drawing.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4 of the drawing, it will be observed that the shelf bottoms 16 extend forwardly from the wall 1S, being connected thereto by a depending foot 35 through which passes the fastening member, such as the screw 18 or other securing member. This foot 35 overlies the upper end 36 of the suspension 19 so that the retaining member 18 secures both the upper end of the suspension as well as the inner end of the shelf member 16 rigid with the wall. It will also be observed that the suspension 19 of the overlying cell or bottle recess is provided with an inturned flange 37 rigidly secured, as by welding, to the upper face of the plate 16 a short distance from the rigid connection 18. This suspension extends upwardly and bears against the Wall as at 36 in the same manner heretofore described and is secured by the adjacent screw or fastening element 18. r[his same construction is present throughout the entire vertical stack of cells, and it will be observed that it provides a cantilever support for each of the bottles. A preponderance of the weight of each bottle is supported by the shelf plate 16 while a minor part of such weight is applied to the suspension plate 19. The weight, therefore, tends to slightly pivot or fulcrum the shelf 16 at its juncture 40 with the suspension plate 19, whereby the stress on plate 19 is in a downward direction and against the overlying securing element 18. On the other hand, that portion of the shelf plate 16 between its connection with the suspension plate 19 and the securing element 18, and now indicated at 38, tends to move in an upward direction, which movement is resisted by the underlying securing element or screws 18, as well as the overlying outwardly projecting foot 39 of the lower suspension plate 19. This cantilever action is of importance because of the nature of the material of which the shelves are made. In the interest of saving space, as well as economy of structure, the material of which the supporting shelves and suspensions are constructed is extremely thin, whether it be of metal or of synthetic material. It is, therefore, obvious, that in addition to the rigidity aiforded by the ribs 17, the cantilever action brings about a transmission of stresses to the suspensions 19 of the compartments as well as to the feet 39 and the retaining or securing screws or members 18.

It is apparent that this type of shelf construction permits any desired length and height of shelves to be erected and possessing substantial strength without the necessity of any frontal support.

I claim:

The combination with a plurality of containers each having a bottom, front and back faces of equal widths disposed at right angles thereto, and a major top portion at an obtuse angle to the front face, and a rigid support disposed in a vertical plane; a vertical stack of identical flat shelves projecting outwardly and upwardly from said support in parallelism and spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the distance between the front and back faces of said containers whereby to permit free sliding movement of the latter between shelves, a depending foot at the inner end of each shelf, a suspension member for each shelf connected at its lower end to its respective shelf outwardly of the rearward end 0f the latter and extending upwardly to engage at its upper end beneath the foot of the next above shelf, the angularity of said shelves and suspension being such that when said container sides and bottoms are engaged therewith said major top portions will be parallel with said support, and means for rigidly securing said upper and suspension ends and said feet with said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gibson Feb. 11, 1919 McCauley Mar. 5, 1929 McKinley Jan. 18, 1949 Ferguson July 17, 1951 Slanhoi Oct. 16, 1951 Weiler June 2, 1959 

